Garden bean variety greenback

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides novel garden bean cultivar Greenback and plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom. The invention also provides methods for producing a bean plant by crossing the bean plants of the invention with themselves or another bean plant. The invention also provides bean plants produced from such a crossing as well as plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of garden bean plants, in particular, theinvention relates to novel garden bean cultivar Greenback.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a garden bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)variety designated Greenback.

Garden beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are leguminous plants in the familyFabaceae and produce edible pod fruits, which can be eaten in theimmature (green) state. The most common types of green beans includesnap beans (also known as string beans), which have a fibrous “string”running the length of the pod, and stringless (or French beans), whichlack the string. Commercially grown garden beans include “pole bean”cultivars, which have a climbing habit and “bush beans” that have a morebushy growth habit.

Garden bean is an important and valuable vegetable crop for both thefresh and processed markets. Thus, there is an ongoing need for improvedgarden bean varieties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel garden beancultivar designated and referred to herein as Greenback, also known asSB4661. Thus, the invention also encompasses the seeds of bean cultivarGreenback, the plants of bean cultivar Greenback, plant parts of thebean cultivar Greenback (including pods, berries, seeds, gametes),methods of producing seed from bean cultivar Greenback, and methods forproducing a bean plant by crossing the bean cultivar Greenback withitself or another bean plant, methods for producing a bean plantcontaining in its genetic material one or more transgenes, and thetransgenic bean plants produced by that method. The invention alsorelates to methods for producing other bean plants derived from beancultivar Greenback and to bean plants, parts thereof and seed derived bythe use of those methods. The present invention further relates to beanseeds and plants (and parts thereof including pods and/or berries)produced by crossing bean cultivar Greenback with itself or with anotherbean plant (e.g., an F1 hybrid seed or plant).

In another aspect, the present invention provides regenerable cells foruse in tissue culture of bean cultivar Greenback. In embodiments, thetissue culture is capable of regenerating plants having all oressentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristicsof the foregoing bean plant and/or of regenerating plants having thesame or substantially the same genotype as the foregoing bean plant. Inexemplary embodiments, the regenerable cells in such tissue cultures aremeristematic cells, cotyledons, hypocotyl, leaves, pollen, embryos,roots, root tips, anthers, pistils, ovules, shoots, stems, petiole,pith, flowers, capsules, pods, berries and/or seeds as well as callusand/or protoplasts derived from any of the foregoing. Still further, thepresent invention provides bean plants regenerated from the tissuecultures of the invention.

As a further aspect, the invention provides a method of producing beanseed, the method comprising crossing a plant of bean cultivar Greenbackwith itself or a second bean plant. Bean cultivar Greenback can be thefemale and/or male parent. Optionally, the method further comprisescollecting the seed.

The invention further provides a method of producing a progeny beanplant, the method comprising crossing a plant of bean cultivar Greenbackwith itself or a second bean plant to produce at least a first progenyplant, which may optionally be a selfed plant or an F1 hybrid. Beancultivar Greenback can be the female and/or male parent.

Another aspect of the invention provides methods for producing hybridsand other bean plants derived from bean cultivar Greenback. Bean plantsderived by the use of those methods are also part of the invention aswell as plant parts, seed, gametes and tissue culture from such hybridor derived bean plants.

In representative embodiments, a bean plant derived from bean cultivarGreenback comprises cells comprising at least one set of chromosomesderived from bean cultivar Greenback. In embodiments, a bean plant orpopulation of bean plants derived from bean cultivar Greenbackcomprises, on average, at least about 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%of its alleles from bean cultivar Greenback, e.g., at least about 6.25%,12.5%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%,95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the genetic complement of bean cultivarGreenback. In embodiments, the bean plant derived from bean cultivarGreenback is one, two, three, four, five or more breeding crossesremoved from bean cultivar Greenback.

In embodiments, a hybrid or derived plant from bean cultivar Greenbackcomprises a desired added trait(s). In representative embodiments, abean plant derived from bean cultivar Greenback comprises some or all ofthe morphological and physiological characteristics of bean cultivarGreenback (e.g., as described herein, in particular, in Tables 1 to 3).In embodiments, the bean plant derived from bean cultivar Greenbackcomprises essentially all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of bean cultivar Greenback (e.g., as described herein,in particular, in Tables 1 to 3), with the addition of a desired addedtrait(s).

The invention also relates to methods for producing a bean plantcomprising in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to thetransgenic bean plant produced by those methods (and progeny bean plantscomprising the transgene). Also provided are plant parts, seed andtissue culture from such transgenic bean plants, optionally wherein oneor more cells in the plant part, seed, or tissue culture comprises thetransgene. The transgene can be introduced via plant transformationand/or breeding techniques.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for single geneconverted plants of bean cultivar Greenback. Plant parts, seed, andtissue culture from such single gene converted plants are alsocontemplated by the present invention. The single transferred gene maybe a dominant or recessive allele. In representative embodiments, thesingle transferred gene confers such traits as male sterility, herbicideresistance, pest resistance (e.g., insect and/or nematode resistance),modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism,disease resistance (e.g., for bacterial, fungal and/or viral disease),male fertility, enhanced nutritional quality, improved appearance (e.g.,color), improved salt tolerance, industrial usage, or any combinationthereof. The single gene may be a naturally occurring bean gene or atransgene introduced into bean through genetic engineering techniques.

The invention further provides methods for developing bean plants in abean plant breeding program using plant breeding techniques including,for example, recurrent selection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding,double haploid techniques, restriction fragment length polymorphismenhanced selection, genetic marker enhanced selection and/ortransformation. Seeds, bean plants, and parts thereof, produced by suchbreeding methods are also part of the invention.

The invention also provides methods of multiplication or propagation ofbean plants of the invention, which can be accomplished using any methodknown in the art, for example, via vegetative propagation and/or seed.

The invention further provides a method of producing food or feedcomprising (a) obtaining a bean plant of the invention, optionallywherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting atleast one bean plant or part thereof (e.g., pods or berries) from theplant. In embodiments, obtaining a bean plant comprises growing theplant.

Additional aspects of the invention include harvested products andprocessed products from the bean plants of the invention. A harvestedproduct can be a whole plant or any plant part, as described herein.Thus, in some embodiments, a non-limiting example of a harvested productincludes a seed, a pod and/or a berry.

In representative embodiments, a processed product includes, but is notlimited to: dehydrated, cut, sliced, ground, pureed, dried, canned,jarred, washed, brined, packaged, refrigerated, frozen and/or heatedpods, berries and/or seeds of the bean plants of the invention, or anyother part thereof. In embodiments, a processed product includes a sugaror other carbohydrate, fiber, protein and/or aromatic compound that isextracted, purified or isolated from a bean plant of the invention. Inembodiments, the processed product includes washed and packaged podsand/or berries (or parts thereof) of the invention, for example, in acanned or frozen form.

Thus, the invention also provides a method of producing a processedproduct from a plant of the invention, the method comprising (a)obtaining a pod or berry of a plant of the invention; and (b) processingthe pod or berry to produce a processed product. In embodiments,processing comprises canning, jarring and/or freezing.

The invention provides seed of the bean plants of the instant invention.In representative embodiments, the invention provides a seed of a beanplant of the invention. In embodiments, the invention is directed toseed that produces the bean plants of the invention.

The seed of the invention can optionally be provided as an essentiallyhomogenous population of seed of a single plant or cultivar. Essentiallyhomogenous populations of seed are generally free from substantialnumbers of other seed, e.g., at least about 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or99% pure.

As a further aspect, the invention provides a plant of bean cultivarGreenback.

As an additional aspect, the invention provides a bean plant, or a partthereof, having all or essentially all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of a plant of bean cultivar Greenback.

As another aspect, the invention provides pods, berries and/or seed ofthe bean plants of the invention and a processed product from the pods,berries and/or seed of the inventive bean plants.

As still another aspect, the invention provides a method of producingbean seed, the method comprising crossing a bean plant of the inventionwith itself or a second bean plant. The invention also provides seedproduced by this method and plants produced by growing the seed.

As yet a further aspect, the invention provides a method for producing aseed of a bean plant derived from bean cultivar Greenback, the methodcomprising: (a) crossing a plant of bean cultivar Greenback with asecond bean plant; (b) allowing seed to form; (c) growing a plant fromthe seed of step (b) to produce a plant derived from bean cultivarGreenback; (d) selfing the plant of step (c) or crossing it to a secondbean plant to form additional bean seed derived from bean cultivarGreenback; and (e) optionally repeating steps (c) and (d) one or moretimes (e.g., one, two, one to three, one to five, one to six, one toseven, one to ten, three to five, three to six, three to seven, three toeight or three to ten times) to generate further derived bean seed frombean cultivar Greenback, wherein in step (c) a plant is grown from theadditional bean seed of step (d) in place of growing a plant from theseed of step (b). As another option, in embodiments, the methodcomprises collecting the bean seed. The invention also provides seedproduced by these methods and plants derived from bean cultivatedGreenback produced by growing the seed.

As another aspect, the invention is also directed to a method ofproducing a pod comprising obtaining a plant according to the instantinvention and harvesting a pod from the plant. In embodiments, obtaininga plant of the invention comprises growing the plant to produce a pod.In one embodiment, the method further comprises processing the pod toobtain a berry or seed. In one embodiment, a berry according the instantinvention is a fresh product or a processed product (e.g., a cannedproduct or a frozen product).

The invention is also directed to a method of producing a berry or seedcomprising obtaining a pod of a plant according to the instant inventionand processing the pod to obtain a berry or seed. In one embodiment, aberry according the instant invention is a fresh product or a processedproduct (e.g., a canned product or a frozen product).

Still further, as another aspect, the invention provides a method ofvegetatively propagating a plant of bean cultivar Greenback. In anon-limiting example, the method comprises: (a) collecting tissuecapable of being propagated from a plant of bean cultivar Greenback; (b)cultivating the tissue to obtain proliferated shoots; and (c) rootingthe proliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets. Optionally, theinvention further comprises growing plants from the rooted plantlets.The invention also encompasses the plantlets and plants produced bythese methods.

As an additional aspect, the invention provides a method of introducinga desired added trait into bean cultivar Greenback, the methodcomprising: (a) crossing a first plant of bean cultivar Greenback with asecond bean plant that comprises a desired trait to produce F₁ progeny;(b) selecting an F₁ progeny that comprises the desired trait; (c)crossing the selected F₁ progeny with bean cultivar Greenback to producebackcross progeny; and (d) selecting backcross progeny comprising thedesired trait to produce a plant derived from bean cultivar Greenbackcomprising a desired trait. In embodiments, the selected progeny has oneor more of the characteristics of Greenback (e.g., as described herein,in particular, in Tables 1 to 3). In embodiments, the selected progenycomprises all or essentially all the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of the first plant of bean cultivar Greenback.Optionally, the method further comprises: (e) repeating steps (c) and(d) one or more times (e.g., one, two, one to three, one to five, one tosix, one to seven, one to ten, three to five, three to six, three toseven, three to eight or three to ten times) to produce a plant derivedfrom bean cultivar Greenback comprising the desired trait, wherein instep (c) the selected backcross progeny produced in step (d) is used inplace of the selected F1 progeny of step (b).

In representative embodiments, the invention also provides a method ofproducing a plant of bean cultivar Greenback comprising a desired addedtrait, the method comprising introducing a transgene conferring thedesired trait into a plant of bean cultivar Greenback. The transgene canbe introduced by transformation methods (e.g., genetic engineering) orbreeding techniques. In embodiments, the plant comprising the transgenehas one or more of the morphological and physiological characteristicsof Greenback (e.g., as described herein, in particular, in Tables 1 to3). In embodiments, the plant comprising the transgene comprises all oressentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristicsof bean cultivar Greenback.

The invention also provides bean plants produced by the methods of theinvention or a selfed progeny thereof, wherein the bean plant has thedesired added trait as well as seed from such bean plants.

According to the foregoing methods, the desired added trait can be anysuitable trait known in the art including, for example, male sterility,male fertility, herbicide resistance, insect or pest (e.g., insectand/or nematode) resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, modifiedcarbohydrate metabolism, disease resistance (e.g., for bacterial, fungaland/or viral disease), enhanced nutritional quality, increasedsweetness, increased flavor, improved ripening control, improved salttolerance, industrial usage, or any combination thereof.

In representative embodiments, a transgene conferring herbicideresistance confers resistance to glyphosate, sulfonylurea,imidazolinone, dicamba, glufosinate, phenoxy proprionic acid,L-phosphinothricin, cyclohexone, cyclohexanedione, triazine,benzonitrile, or any combination thereof.

In representative embodiments, a transgene conferring pest resistance(e.g., insect and/or nematode resistance) encodes a Bacillusthuringiensis endotoxin.

In representative embodiments, transgenic plants (e.g., using geneticengineering techniques), single gene converted plants, hybrid plants andbean plants derived from bean cultivar Greenback have at least 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of bean cultivar Greenback (e.g., as described herein,in particular, in Tables 1 to 3), or even all of the morphological andphysiological characteristics of bean cultivar Greenback, so that saidplants are not significantly different for said traits than beancultivar Greenback, as determined at the 5% significance level whengrown in the same environmental conditions; optionally, with thepresence of one or more desired additional traits (e.g., male sterility,disease resistance, pest or insect resistance, herbicide resistance, andthe like).

In embodiments, the plants of the invention have at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of bean cultivar Greenback (e.g., as described in Tables1 to 3). In embodiments, the plants of the invention have asignificantly smaller seed side (e.g., 100 seed weight) as compared withvariety Caprice. In embodiments, at least 50% of the pods of theinvention produce 4 sieve pods.

The invention also encompasses plant parts, plant material, pollen,ovules, leaves, berries, pods and seed from the bean plants of theinvention. Also provided is a tissue culture of regenerable cells fromthe bean plants of the invention, where optionally, the regenerablecells are: (a) embryos, meristem, leaves, pollen, cotyledons,hypocotyls, roots, root tips, anthers, flowers, pistils, ovules, seed,shoots, stems, stalks, petioles, pith, pods, berries and/or capsules; or(b) callus or protoplasts derived from the cells of (a). Furtherprovided are bean plants regenerated from a tissue culture of theinvention.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a method ofdetermining a genetic characteristic of bean cultivar Greenback or aprogeny thereof, e.g., a method of determining a genotype of beancultivar Greenback or a progeny thereof. In embodiments, the methodcomprises detecting in the genome of a Greenback plant, or a progenyplant thereof, at least a first polymorphism. To illustrate, inembodiments, the method comprises obtaining a sample of nucleic acidsfrom the plant and detecting at least a first polymorphism in thenucleic acid sample. Optionally, the method may comprise detecting aplurality of polymorphisms (e.g., two or more, three or more, four ormore, five or more, six or more, eight or more or ten or morepolymorphisms, etc.) in the genome of the plant. In representativeembodiments, the method further comprises storing the results of thestep of detecting the polymorphism(s) on a computer readable medium. Theinvention further provides a computer readable medium produced by such amethod.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,the invention is described in more detail in the description of theinvention set forth below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based, in part, on the development of a novelbean variety designated Greenback.

It should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey thescope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in thedescription of the invention herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of theinvention.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, it is specifically intended thatthe various features and embodiments of the invention described hereincan be used in any combination.

Moreover, the present invention also contemplates that in someembodiments of the invention, any feature or combination of features setforth herein can be excluded or omitted. To illustrate, if thespecification states that a composition comprises components A, B and C,it is specifically intended that any of A, B or C, or a combinationthereof, can be omitted and disclaimed singularly or in any combination.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in thedescription of the invention herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of theinvention.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Definitions

In the description and table that follow, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided:

As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, “and/or” refers to and encompasses any and all possiblecombinations of one or more of the associated listed items, as well asthe lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative (“or”).

The term “about,” as used herein when referring to a measurable valuesuch as a dosage or time period and the like, is meant to encompassvariations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, ±0.5%, or even ±0.1% of thespecified amount.

The term “comprise,” “comprises” and “comprising” as used herein,specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the transitional phrase “consisting essentially of”means that the scope of a claim is to be interpreted to encompass thespecified materials or steps recited in the claim “and those that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of the claimedinvention. See, In re Herz, 537 F.2d 549, 551-52, 190 U.S.P.Q. 461, 463(CCPA 1976) (emphasis in the original); see also MPEP § 2111.03. Thus,the term “consisting essentially of” when used in a claim or thedescription of this invention is not intended to be interpreted to beequivalent to “comprising.”

“Allele”. An allele is any of one or more alternative forms of a gene,all of which relate to a trait or characteristic. In a diploid cell ororganism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding loci on apair of homologous chromosomes.

“Backcrossing”. Backcrossing is a process in which a breeder repeatedlycrosses hybrid progeny back to one of the parents, for example, a firstgeneration hybrid F₁ with one of the parental genotype of the F₁ hybrid.

“Cotyledon”. One of the first leaves of the embryo of a seed plant;typically one or more in monocotyledons, two in dicotyledons, and two ormore in gymnosperms.

“Determinate Plant”. A determinate plant will grow to a fixed number ofnodes while an indeterminate plant will continue to grow during theseason. Determinate plants generally have a high pod to vine weightratio.

“Double haploid line”. A stable inbred line achieved by doubling thechromosomes of a haploid line, e.g., from anther culture. For example,some pollen grains (haploid) cultivated under specific conditionsdevelop plantlets containing 1 n chromosomes. The chromosomes in theseplantlets are then induced to “double” (e.g., using chemical means)resulting in cells containing 2n chromosomes. The progeny of theseplantlets are termed “double haploid” and are essentiallynon-segregating (e.g., are stable). The term “double haploid” is usedinterchangeably herein with “dihaploid.”

“Essentially all the physiological and morphological characteristics”. Aplant having “essentially all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics” means a plant having the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the recurrent parent, except for thecharacteristics derived from the converted gene(s).

“Field holding ability”. A bean plant that has good field holdingability means a plant having pods that remain smooth and retain theircolor event after the seed is almost fully developed.

“First water date”. The date the seed first receives adequate moistureto germinate. This can and often does equal the planting date.

“Gene”. As used herein, “gene” refers to a segment of nucleic acidcomprising an open reading frame. A gene can be introduced into a genomeof a species, whether from a different species or from the same species,using transformation or various breeding methods.

“Genetic complement”. As used herein, a “genetic complement” refers tothe total genetic make-up of the plant.

“Inbred line”. As used herein, the phrase “inbred line” refers to agenetically homozygous or nearly homozygous population. An inbred line,for example, can be derived through several cycles of sib crossingand/or selfing and/or via double haploid production. In someembodiments, inbred lines breed true for one or more traits of interest.An “inbred plant” or “inbred progeny” is an individual sampled from aninbred line.

“Machine harvestable plant”. A machine harvestable bush means a beanplant that stands with pods off the ground. The pods can be removed by amachine from the plant substantially without leaves and other plantparts being harvested.

“Maturity date”. Plants are considered mature when the pods have reachedtheir maximum desirable seed size and sieve size for the specific useintended.

“Node”. A node is the thickened enlargement on a plant. It is where thestipules, leaf and peduncle arise.

“Nodes to 1^(st) flower”. The number of nodes to 1^(st) flower isobtained by counting the number of nodes from above the point ofcotyledon attachment to the node from which the first peduncle arises.

“Bean” and “garden bean”. As used herein, the term “bean” or “gardenbean” includes any bean classified as a Phaseolus, including P.vulgaris. Thus, the term “bean” or “garden bean” encompasses allcategories of green beans (producing pods eaten in the immature state)including without limitation snap beans, stringless beans, wax beans,pole beans, bush beans, and the like, as well as dry beans. Inembodiments, the “bean” or “garden” bean is a green bean.

“Bean Yield” (Tons/Acre). The yield in tons/acre is the actual yield ofthe beans at harvest.

“Peduncle”. A peduncle is the stalk that bearing flower (s) andsubsequent pod(s) arising from a node.

“Plant.” As used herein, the term “plant” includes plant cells, plantprotoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which plants can beregenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intactin plants or parts of plants, such as leaves, pollen, embryos,cotyledons, hypocotyl, roots, root tips, anthers, pistils, flowers,ovules, seeds, stems, berries, pods, and the like.

“Plant adaptability”. A plant having good plant adaptability means aplant that will perform well in different growing conditions andseasons.

“Plant Height”. Plant height is taken from the top of soil to top mostleaf of the plant.

“Plant material”. The terms “plant material” and “material obtainablefrom a plant” are used interchangeably herein and refer to any plantmaterial obtainable from a plant including without limitation, leaves,stems, roots, flowers or flower parts, fruits, pollen, ovules, zygotes,pods, berries, seeds, cuttings, cell or tissue cultures, or any otherpart or product of the plant.

“Plant part”. As used herein, a “plant part” includes any part, organ,tissue or cell of a plant including without limitation an embryo,meristem, leaf, pollen, cotyledon, hypocotyl, root, root tip, anther,flower, flower bud, pistil, ovule, seed, shoot, stem, stalk, petiole,pith, capsule, a scion, a rootstock, pod, berry and/or a fruit includingcallus and protoplasts derived from any of the foregoing.

“Progeny”. As used herein, “progeny” refers to descendant(s) plants,sometimes in reference to a particular cross. Progeny can result frombreeding of two individuals or from selfing (i.e., the same plant actsas the donor of both male and female gametes). The descendant(s) can be,for example, of the F1, the F2, or any subsequent generation.

“Sieve Size” (sv). Sieve size measures the diameter of the fresh pod andis used in grading beans. Sieve size 1 means pods that fall through asieve grader which culls out pod diameters of 4.76 mm through 5.76 mm.Sieve size 2 means pods that fall through a sieve grader which culls outpod diameters of 5.76 mm through 7.34 mm. Sieve size 3 means pods thatfall through a sieve grader which culls out pod diameters of 7.34 mmthrough 8.34 mm. Sieve size 4 means pods that fall through a sievegrader which culls out pod diameters of 8.34 mm through 9.53 mm. Sievesize 5 means pods that fall through a sieve grader which culls out poddiameters of 9.53 mm through 10.72 mm. Sieve size 6 means pods that fallthrough a sieve grader that will cull out pod diameters of 10.72 mm orlarger.

“Quantitative Trait Loci”. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) refers togenetic loci that control to some degree, numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

“Regeneration”. Regeneration refers to the development of a plant fromtissue culture.

“Resistance”. As used herein the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” (andgrammatical variations thereof) are used interchangeably to describeplants that show reduced or essentially no symptoms to a specific biotic(e.g., a pest, pathogen or disease) or abiotic (e.g., exogenous orenvironmental, including herbicides) factor or stressor. In someembodiments, “resistant” or “tolerant” plants show some symptoms but arestill able to produce marketable product with an acceptable yield, e.g.,the yield may still be reduced and/or the plants may be stunted ascompared with the yield or growth in the absence of the biotic and/orabiotic factor or stressor. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the degree of resistance or tolerance may be assessed with respectto a plurality or even an entire field of plants. A bean plant may beconsidered “resistant” or “tolerant” if resistance/tolerance is observedover a plurality of plants (e.g., an average), even if particularindividual plants may be susceptible to the biotic or abiotic factor orstressor.

“RHS”. RHS refers to the Royal Horticultural Society of England whichpublishes an official botanical color chart quantitatively identifyingcolors according to a defined numbering system. The chart may bepurchased from Royal Horticulture Society Enterprise Ltd., RHS Garden;Wisley, Woking; Surrey GU236QB, UK.

“Single gene converted”. A single gene converted or conversion plantrefers to a plant that is developed by plant breeding techniques (e.g.,backcrossing) or via genetic engineering wherein essentially all of thedesired morphological and physiological characteristics of a line arerecovered in addition to the single gene transferred into the line viathe plant breeding technique or via genetic engineering.

“Stipules”. A pair of leaf-like appendages borne at the base of eachbean leaf or stalk.

“Substantially equivalent characteristic”. A characteristic that, whencompared, does not show a statistically significant difference (e.g.,p=0.05) from the mean.

“Transgene”. A nucleic acid of interest that can be introduced into thegenome of a plant by genetic engineering techniques (e.g.,transformation) or breeding. The transgene can be from the same or adifferent species. If from the same species, the transgene can be anadditional copy of a native coding sequence or can present the nativesequence in a form or context (e.g., different genomic location and/orin operable association with exogenous regulatory elements such as apromoter) than is found in the native state. The transgene can comprisean open reading frame encoding a polypeptide or can encode a functionalnon-translated RNA (e.g., RNAi).

“Transverse Cracking” (TVC). Transverse cracking “TVC” refers to atransverse splitting of the seed body, which may be observed at theemerged cotyledon stage of growth. In general, seed with TVC has lowergerm and vigor resulting in a lower stand and uneven stand, both ofwhich can lead to yield loss and a non-uniform product.

Botanical Description of Garden Bean Cultivar Greenback.

Garden bean Greenback is a new snap bean cultivar particularly suitablefor the fresh market, but is also suitable for the processing market.Greenback has a dark green color, produces over 50% of 4 sieve pods, andhas a smaller seed size than variety Caprice (p<0.0001).

Greenback is a fixed line and has shown uniformity and stability for itscharacteristic traits, within the limits of environmental influence. Ithas been self-pollinated a sufficient number of generations with carefulattention to uniformity of plant type. The variety has been increasedwith continued observation for uniformity.

The physiological and morphological characteristics of garden beanGreenback are shown below in Table 1, based on observations from 2017field plots in Nampa, Idaho.

TABLE 1 Variety Description Information. Type Market Maturity Days toEdible Pods 63 days Number of days earlier/later than 4 days earlierthan the Comparison Variety Tendercrop Plant Habit Determinate Height(cm) 53 cm Number of cm shorter/taller than 5 cm taller than theComparison Variety Tendercrop Plant spread/Width (cm) 35 cm 19 cmnarrower Number if cm wider/narrower than than the Comparison VarietyGoldrush Pod Position Scattered Bush Form High bush Growth TypeDeterminate Leaves Surface Intermediate Size Medium Color Dark greenAnthocyanin Pigment (1 = absent; 2 = present) Flowers 1 Stems 1 Pods 1Seeds 1 Leaves 1 Petioles 1 Peduncles 1 Nodes 1 Flower Color/Days toBloom Color of Standard White Color of wings White Color of Keel WhiteDays to 50% Bloom 45 days Pods (at edible maturity) Exterior Color(fresh) Dark green Exterior Color (processed) Not processed Dry PodColor Buckskin Cross Section Pod Shape Round Crease Back AbsentPubescence Sparse ocular Cavitation) None Spur Length (mm) 9.6 mm FiberSparse Number of seeds/pod 7 Suture String Absent Seed DevelopmentMedium Machine Harvest Adapted (Adapted/Not adapted) Percent sieve sizedistribution at optimum maturity for not-flat pods  4.76 to 5.76 mm   0%  5.76 to 7.34 mm    0%  7.34 to 8.34 mm 23.70%  8.34 to 9.53 mm61.02% 9.53 to 10.72 mm 12.71%    >10.72 mm  0.00% 3 sieve: 12.5 cmlength, 7.7 mm width, 7.7 mm thickness 4 sieve: 14 cm length, 8.6 mmwidth, 8.4 mm thickness 5 sieve: 14.9 cm length, 10 mm width, 9.3 mmthickness 6 sieve: N/A Seed Color Seed Coat Luster Semi-shiny Seed CoatMonochrome Primary Color Buff Secondary Color N/A Seed Coat PatternSolid Hilar Ring Present Hilar Ring Color Buff Seed Shape and Size HilumView Oval Cross Section Oval Side View Oval to oblong grams/100 seeds29.5 gm 7 grams/100 seeds lighter than {close oversize brace} ComparisonTendercrop grams/100 seeds same as Variety 14 grams/100 seeds heavierthan Gitana

As a further characteristic of variety Greenback, as demonstrated inTables 2 and 3 below, Greenback has a significantly smaller seed size,as assessed by 100 seed weight than variety Caprice. Twenty observationswere made from each variety in 2016 and in 2018 (total of 40observations for each variety). The seed size of Greenback issignificantly smaller than Caprice in both years (p<0.0001),demonstrating a consistent trend across years and environments. Adetailed statistical analysis (using Statistix 9.0 software) is providedin Tables 2 and 3 below.

TABLE 2 100 seed weight (seed size) comparison between Caprice andGreenback based on 20 observations for each variety in 2016 in Nampa,Idaho. Descriptive Statistics Variable N Mean SD Minimum Maximum Caprice20 32.700 1.6575 30.000 36.000 Greenback 20 23.050 1.0501 22.000 26.000One-Way AOV for: Capric 10 Greenback Source DF SS MS F P Between 1931.22 931.225 483.75 0.0000 Within 38 73.15 1.925 Total 39 1004.37Grand Mean 27.875 CV 4.98 Homogeneity of Variances F P Levene's Test3.62 0.0647 O'Brien's Test 3.43 0.0720 Brown and Forsythe Test 4.900.0329 Welch′s Test for Mean Differences Source DF F P Between 1.0483.75 0.0000 Within 32.1 Component of variance for between groups46.4650 Effective cell size 20.0 Variable Mean Caprice 32.700 Greenback23.050 Observations per Mean 20 Standard Error of a Mean 0.3102 StdError (Diff of 2 Means) 0.4387 LSD All-Pairwise Comparisons TestVariable Mean Homogeneous Groups Caprice 32.700 A Greenback 23.050 BAlpha 0.05 Standard Error for Comparison 0.4387 Critical T Value 2.024Critical Value for Comparison 0.8882 All 2 means are significantlydifferent from one another.

TABLE 3 100 seed weight (seed size) comparison between Caprice andGreenback based on 20 observations for each variety in 2018 in Nampa,Idaho. Descriptive Statistics Variable N Mean SD Minimum Maximum Caprice20 37.650 2.1588 33.000 43.000 Greenback 20 25.650 1.4965 23.000 28.000One-Way AOV for: Capric 10 Greenback Source DF SS MS F P Between 11440.00 1440.00 417.39 0.0000 Within 38 131.10 3.45 Total 39 1571.10Grand Mean 31.650 CV 5.87 Homogeneity of Variances F P Levene's Test1.62 0.2105 O'Brien's Test 1.54 0.2229 Brown and Forsythe Test 0.510.4809 Welch′s Test for Mean Differences Source DF F P Between 1.0417.39 0.0000 Within 33.8 Component of variance for between groups71.8275 Effective cell size 20.0 Variable Mean Caprice 37.650 Greenback25.650 Observations per Mean 20 Standard Error of a Mean 0.4153 StdError (Diff of 2 Means) 0.5874 LSD All-Pairwise Comparisons TestVariable Mean Homogeneous Groups Caprice 37.650 A Greenback 25.650 BAlpha 0.05 Standard Error for Comparison 0.5874 Critical T Value 2.024Critical Value for Comparison 1.1891 All 2 means are significantlydifferent from one another.

FURTHER EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With the advent of molecular biological techniques that have allowed theisolation and characterization of genes that encode specific proteinproducts, scientists in the field of plant biology developed a stronginterest in engineering the genome of plants to contain and expressforeign nucleic acids including additional or modified versions ofnative (endogenous) nucleic acids (optionally driven by a non-nativepromoter) in order to alter the traits of a plant in a specific manner.Any nucleic acid sequences, whether from a different species or from thesame species, which are introduced into the genome using transformationor various breeding methods, are referred to herein collectively as“transgenes.” Over the last fifteen to twenty years, several methods forproducing transgenic plants have been developed, and in particularembodiments the present invention also relates to transformed versionsof bean plants disclosed herein.

Genetic engineering techniques can be used (alone or in combination withbreeding methods) to introduce one or more desired added traits intoplant, for example, bean cultivar Greenback or progeny or bean plantsderived thereof.

Plant transformation generally involves the construction of anexpression vector that will function in plant cells. Optionally, such avector comprises one or more nucleic acids comprising a coding sequencefor a polypeptide or an untranslated functional RNA under control of, oroperatively linked to, a regulatory element (for example, a promoter).In representative embodiments, the vector(s) may be in the form of aplasmid, and can be used alone or in combination with other plasmids, toprovide transformed bean plants using transformation methods asdescribed herein to incorporate transgenes into the genetic material ofthe bean plant.

Additional methods include, but are not limited to, expression vectorsintroduced into plant tissues using a direct nucleic acid transfermethod, such as microprojectile-mediated delivery (e.g., with abiolistic device), DNA injection, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation,electroporation, and the like. Transformed plants obtained from theplants (and parts and tissue culture thereof) of the invention areintended to be within the scope of this invention.

Expression Vectors for Plant Transformation—Selectable Markers.

Expression vectors typically include at least one nucleic acidcomprising or encoding a selectable marker, operably linked to aregulatory element (for example, a promoter) that allows transformedcells containing the marker to be either recovered by negativeselection, e.g., inhibiting growth of cells that do not contain theselectable marker, or by positive selection, e.g., screening for theproduct encoded by the selectable marker. Many commonly used selectablemarkers for plant transformation are well known in the transformationart, and include, for example, nucleic acids that code for enzymes thatmetabolically detoxify a selective chemical agent which may be anantibiotic or an herbicide, or nucleic acids that encode an alteredtarget which is insensitive to the inhibitor. Positive selection methodsare also known in the art.

One commonly used selectable marker for plant transformation is aneomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) coding sequence, for example,isolated from transposon Tn5, which when placed under the control ofplant regulatory signals confers resistance to kanamycin. Fraley, etal., PNAS, 80:4803 (1983). Another commonly used selectable marker ishygromycin phosphotransferase, which confers resistance to theantibiotic hygromycin. Vanden Elzen, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 5:299(1985).

Additional selectable markers of bacterial origin that confer resistanceto antibiotics include gentamycin acetyl transferase, streptomycinphosphotransferase, aminoglycoside-3′-adenyl transferase, the bleomycinresistance determinant. Hayford, et al., Plant Physiol., 86:1216 (1988);Jones, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 210:86 (1987); Svab, et al., Plant Mol.Biol., 14:197 (1990); Hille, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 7:171 (1986).Other selectable markers confer resistance to herbicides such asglyphosate, glufosinate, or bromoxynil. Comai, et al., Nature,317:741-744 (1985); Gordon-Kamm, et al., Plant Cell, 2:603-618 (1990);and Stalker, et al., Science, 242:419-423 (1988).

Selectable markers for plant transformation that are not of bacterialorigin include, for example, mouse dihydrofolate reductase, plant5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase, and plant acetolactatesynthase. Eichholtz, et al., Somatic Cell Mol. Genet., 13:67 (1987);Shah, et al., Science, 233:478 (1986); and Charest, et al., Plant CellRep., 8:643 (1990).

Another class of selectable marker for plant transformation involvesscreening of presumptively transformed plant cells rather than directgenetic selection of transformed cells for resistance to a toxicsubstance such as an antibiotic. These selectable markers areparticularly useful to quantify or visualize the spatial pattern ofexpression of a transgene in specific tissues and are frequentlyreferred to as a reporter gene because they can be fused to transgene orregulatory sequence for the investigation of nucleic acid expression.Commonly used reporters for screening presumptively transformed cellsinclude alpha-glucuronidase (GUS), alpha-galactosidase, luciferase andchloramphenicol, acetyltransferase. Jefferson, R. A., Plant Mol. Biol.,5:387 (1987); Teeri, et al., EMBO J., 8:343 (1989); Koncz, et al., PNAS,84:131 (1987); and DeBlock, et al., EMBO J., 3:1681 (1984).

In vivo methods for visualizing GUS activity that do not requiredestruction of plant tissues are available. Molecular Probes,Publication 2908, IMAGENE GREEN, pp. 1-4 (1993) and Naleway, et al., J.Cell Biol., 115:151a (1991).

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is also utilized as a marker for nucleicacid expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Chalfie, et al.,Science, 263:802 (1994). GFP and mutants of GFP may be used asscreenable markers.

Expression Vectors for Plant Transformation—Promoters.

Transgenes included in expression vectors are generally driven by anucleotide sequence comprising a regulatory element (for example, apromoter). Numerous types of promoters are well known in thetransformation arts, as are other regulatory elements that can be usedalone or in combination with promoters.

As used herein, “promoter” includes reference to a region of DNAupstream from the start of transcription and involved in recognition andbinding of RNA polymerase and other proteins to initiate transcription.A “plant promoter” is a promoter capable of initiating transcription inplant cells.

Examples of promoters under developmental control include promoters thatpreferentially initiate transcription in certain tissues, such asleaves, roots, seeds, fibers, xylem vessels, tracheids, or sclerenchyma.Such promoters are referred to as “tissue-preferred.” Promoters thatinitiate transcription only in certain tissue are referred to as“tissue-specific.” A “cell type” specific promoter preferentially drivesexpression in certain cell types in one or more organs, for example,vascular cells in roots or leaves. An “inducible” promoter is a promoterthat is under environmental control. Examples of environmentalconditions that may affect transcription by inducible promoters includeanaerobic conditions or the presence of light. Tissue-specific,tissue-preferred, cell type specific, and inducible promoters constitutethe class of “non-constitutive” promoters. A “constitutive” promoter isa promoter that is active under most environmental conditions.

A. Inducible Promoters:

An inducible promoter is operably linked to a nucleic acid forexpression in a plant. Optionally, the inducible promoter is operablylinked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence which isoperably linked to a nucleic acid for expression in the plant. With aninducible promoter, the rate of transcription increases in response toan inducing agent.

Any inducible promoter can be used in the instant invention. See Ward,et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 22:361-366 (1993). Exemplary induciblepromoters include, but are not limited to, that from the ACEI systemwhich responds to copper (Melt, et al., PNAS, 90:4567-4571 (1993));promoter from the In2 gene from maize which responds tobenzenesulfonamide herbicide safeners (Hershey, et al., Mol. Gen.Genet., 227:229-237 (1991) and Gatz, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 243:32-38(1994)) or Tet repressor from Tn10 (Gatz, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet.,227:229-237 (1991)). A representative inducible promoter is a promoterthat responds to an inducing agent to which plants do not normallyrespond. An exemplary inducible promoter is the inducible promoter froma steroid hormone gene, the transcriptional activity of which is inducedby a glucocorticosteroid hormone. Schena, et al., PNAS, 88:0421 (1991).

B. Constitutive Promoters:

A constitutive promoter is operably linked to a nucleic acid forexpression in a plant or the constitutive promoter is operably linked toa nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence which is operablylinked to a nucleic acid for expression in a plant.

Many different constitutive promoters can be utilized in the instantinvention. Exemplary constitutive promoters include, but are not limitedto, the promoters from plant viruses such as the 35S promoter from CaMV(Odell, et al., Nature, 313:810-812 (1985)) and the promoters from suchgenes as rice actin (McElroy, et al., Plant Cell, 2:163-171 (1990));ubiquitin (Christensen, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 12:619-632 (1989) andChristensen, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 18:675-689 (1992)); pEMU (Last,et al., Theor. Appl. Genet., 81:581-588 (1991)); MAS (Velten, et al.,EMBO J., 3:2723-2730 (1984)) and maize H3 histone (Lepetit, et al., Mol.Gen. Genet., 231:276-285 (1992) and Atanassova, et al., Plant J., 2(3):291-300 (1992)). The ALS promoter, XbaI/NcoI fragment 5′ to theBrassica napus ALS3 structural gene (or a nucleotide sequence similarityto said XbaI/NcoI fragment), represents a particularly usefulconstitutive promoter. See PCT Application No. WO 96/30530.

C. Tissue-Specific or Tissue-Preferred Promoters:

A tissue-specific promoter is operably linked to a nucleic acid forexpression in a plant. Optionally, the tissue-specific promoter isoperably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequencewhich is operably linked to a nucleic acid for expression in a plant.Plants transformed with a nucleic acid of interest operably linked to atissue-specific promoter transcribe the nucleic acid of interestexclusively, or preferentially, in a specific tissue.

Any tissue-specific or tissue-preferred promoter can be utilized in theinstant invention. Exemplary tissue-specific or tissue-preferredpromoters include, but are not limited to, a root-preferred promoter,such as that from the phaseolin gene (Murai, et al., Science, 23:476-482(1983) and Sengupta-Gopalan, et al., PNAS, 82:3320-3324 (1985)); aleaf-specific and light-induced promoter such as that from cab orrubisco (Simpson, et al., EMBO J., 4(11):2723-2729 (1985) and Timko, etal., Nature, 318:579-582 (1985)); an anther-specific promoter such asthat from LAT52 (Twell, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 217:240-245 (1989)); apollen-specific promoter such as that from Zm13 (Guerrero, et al., Mol.Gen. Genet., 244:161-168 (1993)) or a microspore-preferred promoter suchas that from apg (Twell, et al., Sex. Plant Reprod., 6:217-224 (1993)).

Signal Sequences for Targeting Proteins to Subcellular Compartments.

Transport of polypeptides produced by transgenes to a subcellularcompartment such as the chloroplast, vacuole, peroxisome, glyoxysome,cell wall, or mitochondrion, or for secretion into the apoplast, isgenerally accomplished by means of operably linking a nucleotidesequence encoding a signal sequence to the 5′ and/or 3′ region of anucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of interest. Signal sequences atthe 5′ and/or 3′ end of the coding sequence target the polypeptide toparticular subcellular compartments.

The presence of a signal sequence can direct a polypeptide to either anintracellular organelle or subcellular compartment or for secretion tothe apoplast. Many signal sequences are known in the art. See, forexample, Becker, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 20:49 (1992); Close, P. S.,Master's Thesis, Iowa State University (1993); Knox, C., et al.,“Structure and Organization of Two Divergent Alpha-Amylase Genes fromBarley,” Plant Mol. Biol., 9:3-17 (1987); Lerner, et al., PlantPhysiol., 91:124-129 (1989); Fontes, et al., Plant Cell, 3:483-496(1991); Matsuoka, et al., PNAS, 88:834 (1991); Gould, et al., J. Cell.Biol., 108:1657 (1989); Creissen, et al., Plant J, 2:129 (1991);Kalderon, et al., A short amino acid sequence able to specify nuclearlocation, Cell, 39:499-509 (1984); and Steifel, et al., Expression of amaize cell wall hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein gene in early leaf androot vascular differentiation, Plant Cell, 2:785-793 (1990).

Foreign Polypeptide Transgenes and Agronomic Transgenes.

With transgenic plants according to the present invention, a foreignprotein can be produced in commercial quantities. Thus, techniques forthe selection and propagation of transformed plants, which are wellunderstood in the art, yield a plurality of transgenic plants which areharvested in a conventional manner, and a foreign polypeptide then canbe extracted from a tissue of interest or from total biomass. Proteinextraction from plant biomass can be accomplished by known methods whichare discussed, for example, by Heney and Orr, Anal. Biochem., 114:92-6(1981).

According to a representative embodiment, the transgenic plant providedfor commercial production of foreign protein is a bean plant of theinvention. In another embodiment, the biomass of interest is seed. Forthe relatively small number of transgenic plants that show higher levelsof expression, a genetic map can be generated, for example viaconventional RFLP, PCR, and SSR analysis, which identifies theapproximate chromosomal location of the integrated DNA molecule. Forexemplary methodologies in this regard, see Methods in Plant MolecularBiology and Biotechnology, Glick and Thompson Eds., 269:284, CRC Press,Boca Raton (1993). Map information concerning chromosomal location isuseful for proprietary protection of a subject transgenic plant. Ifunauthorized propagation is undertaken and crosses made with othergermplasm, the map of the integration region can be compared to similarmaps for suspect plants, to determine if the latter have a commonparentage with the subject plant. Map comparisons can involvehybridizations, RFLP, PCR, SSR, and sequencing, all of which areconventional techniques.

Likewise, by means of the present invention, agronomic transgenes andother desired added traits can be expressed in transformed plants (andtheir progeny, e.g., produced by breeding methods). More particularly,plants can be genetically engineered to express various phenotypes ofagronomic interest or other desired added traits. Exemplary nucleicacids of interest in this regard conferring a desired added trait(s)include, but are not limited to, those categorized below:

A. Transgenes that Confer Resistance to Pests or Disease:

1. Plant disease resistance transgenes. Plant defenses are oftenactivated by specific interaction between the product of a diseaseresistance gene (R) in the plant and the product of a correspondingavirulence (Avr) gene in the pathogen. A plant line can be transformedwith a cloned resistance transgene to engineer plants that are resistantto specific pathogen strains. See, for example, Jones, et al., Science,266:789 (1994) (cloning of the tomato Cf-9 gene for resistance toCladosporium fulvum); Martin, et al., Science, 262:1432 (1993) (tomatoPto gene for resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato encodes aprotein kinase); and Mindrinos, et al., Cell, 78:1089 (1994)(Arabidopsis RSP2 gene for resistance to Pseudomonas syringae).

2. A Bacillus thuringiensis protein, a derivative thereof, or asynthetic polypeptide modeled thereon. See, for example, Geiser, et al.,Gene, 48:109 (1986), who disclose the cloning and nucleotide sequence ofa Bt delta-endotoxin gene. Moreover, DNA molecules encodingdelta-endotoxin transgenes can be purchased from American Type CultureCollection, Manassas, Va., for example, under ATCC Accession Nos. 40098,67136, 31995, and 31998.

3. A lectin. See, for example, the disclosure by Van Damme, et al.,Plant Mol. Biol., 24:25 (1994), who disclose the nucleotide sequences ofseveral Clivia miniata mannose-binding lectin transgenes.

4. A vitamin-binding protein such as avidin. See, e.g., PCT ApplicationNo. US 93/06487. The application teaches the use of avidin and avidinhomologues as larvicides against insect pests.

5. An enzyme inhibitor, for example, a protease or proteinase inhibitor,or an amylase inhibitor. See, for example, Abe, et al., J. Biol. Chem.,262:16793 (1987) (nucleotide sequence of rice cysteine proteinaseinhibitor); Huub, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 21:985 (1993) (nucleotidesequence of cDNA encoding tobacco proteinase inhibitor I); and Sumitani,et al., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 57:1243 (1993) (nucleotide sequenceof Streptomyces nitrosporeus alpha-amylase inhibitor).

6. An insect-specific hormone or pheromone, such as an ecdysteroid andjuvenile hormone, a variant thereof, a mimetic based thereon, or anantagonist or agonist thereof. See, for example, the disclosure byHammock, et al., Nature, 344:458 (1990), of baculovirus expression ofcloned juvenile hormone esterase, an inactivator of juvenile hormone.

7. An insect-specific peptide or neuropeptide which, upon expression,disrupts the physiology of the affected pest. For example, see thedisclosures of Regan, J. Biol. Chem., 269:9 (1994) (expression cloningyields DNA coding for insect diuretic hormone receptor) and Pratt, etal., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 163:1243 (1989) (an allostatin isidentified in Diploptera puntata). See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,317 toTomalski, et al., who disclose transgenes encoding insect-specific,paralytic neurotoxins.

8. An insect-specific venom produced in nature, by a snake, a wasp, etc.For example, see Pang, et al, Gene, 116:165 (1992), for disclosure ofheterologous expression in plants of a transgene coding for a scorpioninsectotoxic peptide.

9. An enzyme responsible for a hyper-accumulation of a monoterpene, asesquiterpene, a steroid, hydroxamic acid, a phenylpropanoid derivative,or another non-protein molecule with insecticidal activity.

10. An enzyme involved in the modification, including thepost-translational modification, of a biologically active molecule; forexample, a glycolytic enzyme, a proteolytic enzyme, a lipolytic enzyme,a nuclease, a cyclase, a transaminase, an esterase, a hydrolase, aphosphatase, a kinase, a phosphorylase, a polymerase, an elastase, achitinase, and a glucanase, whether natural or synthetic. See PCTApplication No. WO 93/02197 in the name of Scott, et al., whichdiscloses the nucleotide sequence of a callase transgene. DNA moleculeswhich contain chitinase-encoding sequences can be obtained, for example,from the ATCC under Accession Nos. 39637 and 67152. See also, Kramer, etal., Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol., 23:691 (1993), who teach the nucleotidesequence of a cDNA encoding tobacco hornworm chitinase, and Kawalleck,et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 21:673 (1993), who provide the nucleotidesequence of the parsley ubi4-2 polyubiquitin transgene.

11. A molecule that stimulates signal transduction. For example, see thedisclosure by Botella, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 24:757 (1994), ofnucleotide sequences for mung bean calmodulin cDNA clones, and Griess,et al., Plant Physiol., 104:1467 (1994), who provide the nucleotidesequence of a maize calmodulin cDNA clone.

12. A hydrophobic moment peptide. See PCT Application No. WO 95/16776(disclosure of peptide derivatives of tachyplesin which inhibit fungalplant pathogens) and PCT Application No. WO 95/18855 (teaches syntheticantimicrobial peptides that confer disease resistance).

13. A membrane permease, a channel former, or a channel blocker. Forexample, see the disclosure of Jaynes, et al., Plant Sci., 89:43 (1993),of heterologous expression of a cecropin-beta, lytic peptide analog torender transgenic tobacco plants resistant to Pseudomonas solanacearum.

14. A viral-invasive protein or a complex toxin derived therefrom. Forexample, the accumulation of viral coat proteins in transformed plantcells imparts resistance to viral infection and/or disease developmenteffected by the virus from which the coat protein transgene is derived,as well as by related viruses. See Beachy, et al., Ann. Rev.Phytopathol., 28:451 (1990). Coat protein-mediated resistance has beenconferred upon transformed plants against alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumbermosaic virus, tobacco streak virus, potato virus X, potato virus Y,tobacco etch virus, tobacco rattle virus, and tobacco mosaic virus. Id.

15. An insect-specific antibody or an immunotoxin derived therefrom.Thus, an antibody targeted to a critical metabolic function in theinsect gut would inactivate an affected enzyme, killing the insect. SeeTaylor, et al., Abstract #497, Seventh Int'l Symposium on MolecularPlant-Microbe Interactions, Edinburgh, Scotland (1994) (enzymaticinactivation in transgenic tobacco via production of single-chainantibody fragments).

16. A virus-specific antibody. See, for example, Tavladoraki, et al.,Nature, 366:469 (1993), who show that transgenic plants expressingrecombinant antibody transgenes are protected from virus attack.

17. A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a pathogenor a parasite. Thus, fungal endo-alpha-1,4-D-polygalacturonasesfacilitate fungal colonization and plant nutrient released bysolubilizing plant cell wall homo-alpha-1,4-D-galacturonase. See Lamb,et al., Bio/technology, 10:1436 (1992). The cloning and characterizationof a transgene which encodes a bean endopolygalacturonase-inhibitingprotein is described by Toubart, et al., Plant J., 2:367 (1992).

18. A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a plant. Forexample, Logemann, et al., Bio/technology, 10:305 (1992), have shownthat transgenic plants expressing the barley ribosome-inactivatingtransgene have an increased resistance to fungal disease.

19. A lettuce mosaic potyvirus (LMV) coat protein transgene introducedinto Lactuca sativa in order to increase its resistance to LMVinfection. See Dinant, et al., Mol. Breeding, 3:1, 75-86 (1997).

Any disease or present resistance transgenes, including thoseexemplified above, can be introduced into a bean plant of the inventionthrough a variety of means including but not limited to transformationand breeding.

B. Transgenes that Confer Resistance to an Herbicide:

Exemplary polynucleotides encoding polypeptides that confer traitsdesirable for herbicide resistance include acetolactate synthase (ALS)mutants that lead to herbicide resistance such as the S4 and/or Hramutations ((resistance to herbicides including sulfonylureas,imidazolinones, triazolopyrimidines, pyrimidinyl thiobenzoates);glyphosate resistance (e.g.,5-enol-pyrovyl-shikimate-3-phosphate-synthase (EPSPS) transgene,including but not limited to those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,940,935, 5,188,642, 5,633,435, 6,566,587, 7,674,598 as well as allrelated application; or the glyphosate N-acetyltransferase (GAT)transgene, described in Castle et al., Science, 2004, 304:1151-1154; andin U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20070004912, 20050246798,and 20050060767)); glufosinate resistance (e.g., BAR; see e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 5,561,236); 2,4-D resistance (e.g., aryloxy alkanoatedioxygenase or AAD-1, AAD-12, or AAD-13), HPPD resistance (e.g.,Pseudomonas HPPD) and PPO resistance (e.g., fomesafen,acifluorfen-sodium, oxyfluorfen, lactofen, fluthiacet-methyl,saflufenacil, flumioxazin, flumiclorac-pentyl, carfentrazone-ethyl,sulfentrazone); a cytochrome P450 or variant thereof that confersherbicide resistance or tolerance to, inter alia, HPPD-inhibitingherbicides, PPO-inhibiting herbicides and ALS-inhibiting herbicides(U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20090011936; U.S. Pat. Nos.6,380,465; 6,121,512; 5,349,127; 6,649,814; and 6,300,544; and PCTInternational Publication No. WO 2007/000077); dicamba resistance (e.g.,dicamba monoxygenase), and traits desirable for processing or processproducts such as high oil (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,529); modified oils(e.g., fatty acid desaturase transgenes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,544; PCTInternational Publication No. WO 94/11516)); modified starches (e.g.,ADPG pyrophosphorylases (AGPase), starch synthases (SS), starchbranching enzymes (SBE), and starch debranching enzymes (SDBE)); andpolymers or bioplastics (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,321;beta-ketothiolase, polyhydroxybutyrate synthase, and acetoacetyl-CoAreductase (Schubert et al., J. Bacteriol., 1988, 170:5837-5847)facilitate expression of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)).

In embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide conferringresistance to an herbicide selected from glyphosate, sulfonylurea,imidazolinone, dicamba, glufosinate, phenoxy proprionic acid,L-phosphinothricin, cyclohexone, cyclohexanedione, triazine, andbenzonitrile.

Any transgene conferring herbicide resistance, including thoseexemplified above, can be introduced into the bean plants of theinvention through a variety of means including, but not limited to,transformation (e.g., genetic engineering techniques) and crossing.

C. Transgenes that Confer or Contribute to a Value-Added Trait:

1. Increased iron content of the bean, for example, by introducing intoa plant a soybean ferritin transgene as described in Goto, et al., ActaHorticulturae., 521, 101-109 (2000).

2. Decreased nitrate content of leaves, for example, by introducing intoa bean a transgene coding for a nitrate reductase. See, for example,Curtis, et al., Plant Cell Rep., 18:11, 889-896 (1999).

3. Increased sweetness of the bean by introducing a transgene coding formonellin that elicits a flavor 100,000 times sweeter than sugar on amolar basis. See Penarrubia, et al., Bio/technology, 10:561-564 (1992).

4. Modified fatty acid metabolism, for example, by introducing into aplant an antisense sequence directed against stearyl-ACP desaturase toincrease stearic acid content of the plant. See Knultzon, et al., PNAS,89:2625 (1992).

5. Modified carbohydrate composition effected, for example, byintroducing into plants a transgene coding for an enzyme that alters thebranching pattern of starch. See Shiroza, et al., J. Bacteria, 170:810(1988) (nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus mutantsfructosyltransferase transgene); Steinmetz, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet.,20:220 (1985) (nucleotide sequence of Bacillus subtilis levansucrasetransgene); Pen, et al., Bio/technology, 10:292 (1992) (production oftransgenic plants that express Bacillus lichenifonnis alpha-amylase);Elliot, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 21:515 (1993) (nucleotide sequences oftomato invertase transgenes); Sogaard, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 268:22480(1993) (site-directed mutagenesis of barley alpha-amylase transgene);and Fisher, et al., Plant Physiol., 102:1045 (1993) (maize endospermstarch branching enzyme II).

6. Delayed and/or attenuated symptoms to Bean Golden Mosaic Geminivirus(BGMV), for example by transforming a plant with antisense genes fromthe Brazilian BGMV. See Arago et al., Molecular Breeding. 1998, 4: 6,491-499.

7. Increased methionine content by introducing a transgene coding for amethionine-rich storage albumin (2S-albumin) from the Brazil nut, e.g.,as described in Arago et al., Genetics and Molecular Biology. 1999, 22:3, 445-449.

Any transgene that confers or contributes a value-added trait, includingthose exemplified above, can be introduced into the bean plants of theinvention through a variety of means including, but not limited to,transformation (e.g., genetic engineering techniques) and crossing.

D. Transgenes that Control Male-Sterility:

1. Introduction of a deacetylase transgene under the control of atapetum-specific promoter and with the application of the chemicalN-Ac-PPT. See, e.g., International Publication WO 01/29237.

2. Introduction of various stamen-specific promoters. See, e.g.,International Publications WO 92/13956 and WO 92/13957.

3. Introduction of the barnase and the barstar transgenes. See, e.g.,Paul, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 19:611-622 (1992).

Any transgene that controls male sterility, including those exemplifiedabove, can be introduced into the bean plants of the invention through avariety of means including, but not limited to, transformation (e.g.,genetic engineering techniques) and crossing.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the traitsdescribed above with respect to plant transformation methods can beintroduced into a plant of the invention (e.g., bean cultivar Greenbackand hybrid bean plants and other bean plants derived therefrom) usingbreeding techniques.

Methods for Plant Transformation.

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed, includingbiological and physical, plant transformation protocols. See, forexample, Miki, et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA intoPlants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glickand Thompson Eds., CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, pp. 67-88 (1993). Inaddition, expression vectors and in vitro culture methods for plant cellor tissue transformation and regeneration of plants are available. See,for example, Gruber, et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” inMethods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick and ThompsonEds., CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, pp. 89-119 (1993).

A. Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation.

One method for introducing an expression vector into plants is based onthe natural transformation system of Agrobacterium. See, for example,Horsch, et al., Science, 227:1229 (1985); Curtis, et al., Journal ofExperimental Botany, 45:279, 1441-1449 (1994); Torres, et al., PlantCell Tissue and Organ Culture, 34:3, 279-285 (1993); and Dinant, et al.,Molecular Breeding, 3:1, 75-86 (1997). A. tumefaciens and A. rhizogenesare plant pathogenic soil bacteria which genetically transform plantcells. The Ti and Ri plasmids of A. tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes,respectively, carry genes responsible for genetic transformation of theplant. See, for example, Kado, C. I., Crit. Rev. Plant Sci., 10:1(1991). Descriptions of Agrobacterium vector systems and methods forAgrobacterium-mediated transgene transfer are provided by Gruber, etal., supra, Miki, et al., supra, and Moloney, et al., Plant Cell Rep.,8:238 (1989). See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,616 issued Jan. 7, 1997.

B. Direct Transgene Transfer.

Several methods of plant transformation collectively referred to asdirect transgene transfer have been developed as an alternative toAgrobacterium-mediated transformation. A generally applicable method ofplant transformation is microprojectile-mediated transformation whereinDNA is carried on the surface of microprojectiles measuring 1 micron to4 micron. The expression vector is introduced into plant tissues with abiolistic device that accelerates the microprojectiles to speeds of 300m/s to 600 m/s which is sufficient to penetrate plant cell walls andmembranes. Russell, D. R., et al., Plant Cell Rep., 12 (3, January),165-169 (1993); Aragao, F. J. L., et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 20 (2,October), 357-359 (1992); Aragao, F. J. L., et al., Plant Cell Rep., 12(9, July), 483-490 (1993); Aragao, Theor. Appl. Genet., 93:142-150(1996); Kim, J., Minamikawa, T., Plant Sci., 117:131-138 (1996);Sanford, et al., Part. Sci. Technol., 5:27 (1987); Sanford, J. C.,Trends Biotech., 6:299 (1988); Klein, et al., Bio/technology, 6:559-563(1988); Sanford, J. C., Physiol. Plant, 7:206 (1990); Klein, et al.,Bio/technology, 10:268 (1992).

Another method for physical delivery of DNA to plants is sonication oftarget cells. Zhang, et al., Bio/technology, 9:996 (1991).Alternatively, liposome and spheroplast fusion have been used tointroduce expression vectors into plants. Deshayes, et al., EMBO J.,4:2731 (1985) and Christou, et al., PNAS, 84:3962 (1987). Direct uptakeof DNA into protoplasts using CaCl.sub.2 precipitation, polyvinylalcohol, or poly-L-ornithine has also been reported. Hain, et al., Mol.Gen. Genet., 199:161 (1985) and Draper, et al., Plant Cell Physiol.,23:451 (1982). Electroporation of protoplasts and whole cells andtissues have also been described. Saker, M., Kuhne, T., BiologiaPlantarum, 40(4):507-514 (1997/98); Donn, et al., In Abstracts of VIIthInternational Congress on Plant Cell and Tissue Culture IAPTC, A2-38, p.53 (1990); D'Halluin, et al., Plant Cell, 4:1495-1505 (1992); andSpencer, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 24:51-61 (1994). See also Chupean, etal., Bio/technology, 7:5, 503-508 (1989).

Following transformation of plant target tissues, expression of theabove-described selectable marker transgenes allows for preferentialselection of transformed cells, tissues and/or plants, usingregeneration and selection methods now well known in the art.

The foregoing methods for transformation would typically be used forproducing a transgenic bean line. The transgenic bean line could then becrossed with another (non-transformed or transformed) line in order toproduce a new transgenic bean line. Alternatively, a genetic trait thathas been engineered into a particular plant cultivar using the foregoingtransformation techniques could be introduced into another line usingtraditional breeding (e.g., backcrossing) techniques that are well knownin the plant breeding arts. For example, a backcrossing approach couldbe used to move an engineered trait from a public, non-elite inbred lineinto an elite inbred line, or from an inbred line containing a foreigntransgene in its genome into an inbred line or lines which do notcontain that transgene.

Gene Conversions.

When the term “bean plant” is used in the context of the presentinvention, this term also includes any gene conversions of that plant orvariety. The term “gene converted plant” as used herein refers to thosebean plants that are developed, for example, by backcrossing, geneticengineering and/or mutation, wherein essentially all of the desiredmorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety (e.g., asdescribed herein, in particular, in Tables 1 to 3) are recovered inaddition to the one or more genes transferred into the variety. Toillustrate, backcrossing methods can be used with the present inventionto improve or introduce a characteristic into the variety. The term“backcrossing” as used herein refers to the repeated crossing of ahybrid progeny back to the recurrent parent, e.g., backcrossing 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more times to the recurrent parent. The parentalplant that contributes the gene for the desired characteristic is termedthe “nonrecurrent” or “donor parent.” This terminology refers to thefact that the nonrecurrent parent is generally used one time in thebreeding e.g., backcross) protocol and therefore does not recur. Thegene that is transferred can be a native gene, a mutated native gene ora transgene introduced by genetic engineering techniques into the plant(or ancestor thereof). The parental plant into which the gene(s) fromthe nonrecurrent parent are transferred is known as the “recurrent”parent as it is used for multiple rounds in the backcrossing protocol.Poehlman & Sleper (1994) and Fehr (1993). In a typical backcrossprotocol, the original variety of interest (recurrent parent) is crossedto a second variety (nonrecurrent parent) that carries the gene(s) ofinterest to be transferred. The resulting progeny from this cross arethen crossed again to the recurrent parent and the process is repeateduntil a plant is obtained wherein essentially all of the desiredmorphological and physiological characteristics of the recurrent parentare recovered in the converted plant in addition to the transferredgene(s) and associated trait(s) from the nonrecurrent parent.

Many gene traits have been identified that can be improved bybackcrossing techniques. Gene traits may or may not be transgenic.Examples of these traits include, but are not limited to, malesterility, modified fatty acid metabolism, modified carbohydratemetabolism, herbicide resistance, pest or disease resistance (e.g.,resistance to bacterial, fungal, or viral disease), insect resistance,enhanced nutritional quality, increased sweetness, increased flavor,improved ripening control, improved salt tolerance, industrial usage,yield stability, and yield enhancement. These genes are generallyinherited through the nucleus.

Tissue Culture.

Further reproduction of bean plants variety can occur by tissue cultureand regeneration. Tissue culture of various tissues of bean andregeneration of plants therefrom is well known and widely published. Forexample, reference may be had to Teng, et al., HortScience, 27:9,1030-1032 (1992); Teng, et al., HortScience, 28:6, 669-1671 (1993);Zhang, et al., Journal of Genetics and Breeding, 46:3, 287-290 (1992);Webb, et al., Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 38:1, 77-79 (1994);Curtis, et al., Journal of Experimental Botany, 45:279, 1441-1449(1994); Nagata, et al., Journal for the American Society forHorticultural Science, 125:6, 669-672 (2000); and Ibrahim, et al., PlantCell Tissue and Organ Culture, 28(2), 139-145 (1992). It is clear fromthe literature that the state of the art is such that these methods ofobtaining plants are routinely used and have a very high rate ofsuccess. Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cellswhich upon growth and differentiation produce bean plants having desiredcharacteristics of bean cultivar Greenback (e.g., as described herein,in particular, in Tables 1 to 3). Optionally, bean plants can beregenerated from the tissue culture of the invention comprising all oressentially all of the physiological and morphological characteristicsof bean cultivar Greenback.

As used herein, the term “tissue culture” indicates a compositioncomprising isolated cells of the same or a different type or acollection of such cells organized into parts of a plant. Exemplarytypes of tissue cultures are protoplasts, calli, meristematic cells, andplant cells that can generate tissue culture that are intact in plantsor parts of plants, such as leaves, pollen, embryos, roots, root tips,anthers, pistils, flowers, seeds, petioles, suckers, pods, berries, andthe like. Means for preparing and maintaining plant tissue culture arewell known in the art. By way of example, a tissue culture comprisingorgans has been used to produce regenerated plants. U.S. Pat. Nos.5,959,185, 5,973,234, and 5,977,445 describe certain techniques.

Additional Breeding Methods.

This invention is also directed to methods for producing a bean plant bycrossing a first parent bean plant with a second parent bean plantwherein the first or second parent bean plant is a plant of beancultivar Greenback. Further, both first and second parent bean plant cancome from bean cultivar Greenback. Thus, any of the following exemplarymethods using bean cultivar Greenback are part of this invention:selfing, backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses to populations, doublehaploid production, and the like. All plants produced using beancultivar Greenback as at least one parent are within the scope of thisinvention, including those developed from bean plants derived from beancultivar Greenback. Advantageously, bean cultivar Greenback can be usedin crosses with other, different, bean plants to produce the firstgeneration (F₁) bean hybrid seeds and plants with desirablecharacteristics. The bean plants of the invention can also be used fortransformation where exogenous transgenes are introduced and expressedby the plants of the invention. Genetic variants created either throughtraditional breeding methods or through transformation of the cultivarsof the invention by any of a number of protocols known to those of skillin the art are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

The following describes exemplary breeding methods that may be used withbean cultivar Greenback in the development of further bean plants. Onesuch embodiment is a method for developing bean cultivar Greenbackprogeny bean plants in a bean plant breeding program comprising:obtaining a plant, or a part thereof, of bean cultivar Greenback,utilizing said plant or plant part as a source of breeding material, andselecting a bean cultivar Greenback progeny plant with molecular markersin common with bean cultivar Greenback and/or with some, all oressentially all morphological and/or physiological characteristics ofbean cultivar Greenback (e.g., as described herein, in particular, inTables 1 to 3). In representative embodiments, the progeny plant has atleast 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more of the morphological andphysiological characteristics of bean cultivar Greenback (e.g., asdescribed herein, in particular, in Tables 1 to 3), or even all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of bean cultivarGreenback so that said progeny bean plant is not significantly differentfor said traits than bean cultivar Greenback, as determined at the 5%significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions;optionally, with the presence of one or more desired additional traits(e.g., male sterility, disease resistance, pest or insect resistance,herbicide resistance, and the like). Breeding steps that may be used inthe breeding program include pedigree breeding, backcrossing, mutationbreeding and/or recurrent selection. In conjunction with these steps,techniques such as RFLP-enhanced selection, genetic marker enhancedselection (for example, SSR markers) and/or and the making of doublehaploids may be utilized.

Another representative method involves producing a population of beancultivar Greenback progeny plants, comprising crossing bean cultivarGreenback with another bean plant, thereby producing a population ofbean plants that, on average, derives at least about 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%,30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%,97%, 98% or 99% of its alleles from bean cultivar Greenback, e.g., atleast about 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%,70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the genetic complementof bean cultivar Greenback. One embodiment of this invention is the beanplant produced by this method and that has obtained at least 6.25%,12.5%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%,95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of its alleles from bean cultivar Greenback. Aplant of this population may be selected and repeatedly selfed or sibbedwith a bean plant resulting from these successive filial generations.Another approach is to make double haploid plants to achievehomozygosity.

One of ordinary skill in the art of plant breeding would know how toevaluate the traits of two plant varieties to determine if there is nosignificant difference between the two traits expressed by thosevarieties. For example, see Fehr and Walt, Principles of CultivarDevelopment, pp. 261-286 (1987). In embodiments, the inventionencompasses progeny plants having a combination of at least 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more of the characteristics as described herein (e.g.,Tables 1 to 3) for bean cultivar Greenback, so that said progeny beanplant is not significantly different for said traits than bean cultivarGreenback, as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in thesame environmental conditions. Using techniques described herein andthose known in the art, molecular markers may be used to identify saidprogeny plant as progeny of bean cultivar Greenback. Mean trait valuesmay be used to determine whether trait differences are significant, andoptionally the traits are measured on plants grown under the sameenvironmental conditions.

Progeny of bean cultivar Greenback may also be characterized throughtheir filial relationship with bean cultivar Greenback, as for example,being within a certain number of breeding crosses of bean cultivarGreenback. A breeding cross is a cross made to introduce new geneticsinto the progeny, and is distinguished from a cross, such as a self or asib cross or a backcross to Greenback as a recurrent parent, made toselect among existing genetic alleles. The lower the number of breedingcrosses in the pedigree, the closer the relationship between beancultivar Greenback and its progeny. For example, progeny produced by themethods described herein may be within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more breedingcrosses of bean cultivar Greenback.

In representative embodiments, a bean plant derived from bean cultivarGreenback comprises cells comprising at least one set of chromosomesderived from bean cultivar Greenback.

In embodiments, the bean plant or population of bean plants derived frombean cultivar Greenback comprises, on average, at least 6.25%, 12.5%,25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%,96%, 9%, 98% or 99% of its alleles from bean cultivar Greenback, e.g.,at least 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%,80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the genetic complement ofbean cultivar Greenback.

In embodiments, the bean plant derived from bean cultivar Greenback isone, two, three, four, five or more breeding crosses removed from beancultivar Greenback.

In representative embodiments, a plant derived from bean cultivarGreenback is a double haploid plant, a hybrid plant or an inbred plant.

In embodiments, a hybrid or derived plant from bean cultivar Greenbackcomprises a desired added trait. In representative embodiments, a beanplant derived from bean cultivar Greenback comprises all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of bean cultivarGreenback (e.g., as described herein, in particular, in Tables 1 to 3).In embodiments, the bean plant derived from bean cultivar Greenbackcomprises all or essentially all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of bean cultivar Greenback (e.g., as described herein,in particular, in Tables 1 to 3), with the addition of a desired addedtrait.

Genetic Analysis of Bean Cultivar Greenback.

The invention further provides a method of determining a geneticcharacteristic of bean cultivar Greenback or a progeny thereof, e.g., amethod of determining a genotype of bean cultivar Greenback or a progenythereof. In embodiments, the method comprises detecting in the genome ofa Greenback plant, or a progeny plant thereof, at least a firstpolymorphism. To illustrate, in embodiments, the method comprisesobtaining a sample of nucleic acids from the plant and detecting atleast a first polymorphism in the nucleic acid sample. Optionally, themethod may comprise detecting a plurality of polymorphisms (e.g., two ormore, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, eight ormore or ten or more polymorphisms, etc.) in the genome of the plant. Inrepresentative embodiments, the method further comprises storing theresults of the step of detecting the polymorphism(s) on a computerreadable medium. The invention further provides a computer readablemedium produced by such a method.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

Applicants have made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of garden beancultivar Greenback with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va., 20110-2209 U.S.A. under ATCCDeposit No PTA-125579. This deposit of garden bean variety Greenbackwill be maintained in the ATCC depository, which is a public depository,for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, orfor the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will bereplaced if any of the deposited seed becomes nonviable during thatperiod. Additionally, Applicants have satisfied all the requirements of37 C.F.R. §§ 1.801-1.809, including providing an indication of theviability of the samples. During the pendency of this application,access to the deposited material will be afforded to the Commissioner onrequest. All restrictions on the availability of the deposited materialfrom the ATCC to the public will be irrevocably removed upon granting ofthe patent. Applicants impose no restrictions on the availability of thedeposited material from the ATCC; however, Applicants have no authorityto waive any restrictions imposed by law on the transfer of biologicalmaterial or its transportation in commerce. Applicants do not waive anyinfringement of its rights granted under this patent or under the PlantVariety Protection Act (7 USC § 2321 et seq.).

Access to this deposit will be available during the pendency of thisapplication to persons determined by the Commissioner of Patents andTrademarks to be entitled thereto under 37 C.F.R. § 1.14 and 35 U.S.C. §122. Upon allowance of any claims in this application, all restrictionson the availability to the public of the variety will be irrevocablyremoved by affording access to a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of thesame variety with the American Type Culture Collection, 10801 UniversityBoulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 U.S.A.

The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications suchas single gene modifications and mutations, somaclonal variants, variantindividuals selected from large populations of the plants of the instantinbred and the like may be practiced within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seed of bean cultivar Greenback, arepresentative sample of seed of said cultivar having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-125579.
 2. A plant of bean cultivarGreenback, a representative sample of seed of said bean cultivar havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession No PTA-125579.
 3. A bean plant, or aplant part thereof, having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of the bean plant of claim
 2. 4. An F1 progeny beanplant of the plant of claim
 2. 5. A doubled haploid bean plant producedfrom the plant of claim
 2. 6. A plant part of the bean plant of claim 2.7. The plant part of claim 6, wherein the plant part is a pod, a berry,pollen, an ovule, an anther, or a cell.
 8. A tissue culture ofregenerable cells of the plant of claim
 2. 9. A bean plant regeneratedfrom the tissue culture of claim 8 or a selfed progeny thereof, whereinsaid bean plant or selfed progeny thereof comprises all of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of bean cultivarGreenback.
 10. A processed product from the plant of claim 2, whereinsaid insert processed product comprises dehydrated, cut, sliced, ground,pureed, dried, canned, jarred, washed, brined, packaged, refrigerated,frozen and/or heated pods, berries or seeds.
 11. A method of producingseed, the method comprising crossing the plant of claim 2 with itself ora second bean plant and harvesting the resulting seed.
 12. An F1 seedproduced by the method of claim
 11. 13. An F1 plant produced by growingthe seed of claim
 12. 14. A method for producing a seed of a bean plantderived from the plant of claim 2, the method comprising: (a) crossing aplant of bean cultivar Greenback, a representative sample of seed ofsaid bean cultivar having been deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-125579 with a second bean plant; (b) allowing seed to form; (c)growing a plant from the seed of step (b) to produce a plant derivedfrom bean cultivar Greenback; (d) selfing the plant of step (c) orcrossing it to a second bean plant to form additional bean seed derivedfrom bean cultivar Greenback; and (e) optionally repeating steps (c) and(d) one or more times to generate further derived bean seed from beancultivar Greenback, wherein in step (c) a plant is grown from theadditional bean seed of step (d) in place of growing a plant from theseed of step (b).
 15. An F1 progeny seed produced by the method of claim14.
 16. A plant produced by growing the seed of claim
 15. 17. A methodof vegetatively propagating the plant of claim 2, the method comprising:(a) collecting tissue capable of being propagated from a plant of beancultivar Greenback, a representative sample of seed of said beancultivar having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-125579; (b)cultivating the tissue to obtain proliferated shoots; (c) rooting theproliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets; and (d) optionally,growing plants from the rooted plantlets.
 18. Plantlets or plantsobtained by the method of claim 17, wherein the plantlets or plantscomprise all of the morphological and physiological characteristics ofbean cultivar Greenback.
 19. A method of introducing a desired addedtrait into bean cultivar Greenback, the method comprising: (a) crossingthe plant of claim 2 with a bean plant that comprises a desired addedtrait to produce F1 progeny; (b) selecting an F1 progeny that comprisesthe desired added trait; (c) crossing the selected F1 progeny with beancultivar Greenback to produce backcross progeny; (d) selecting backcrossprogeny comprising the desired added trait; and (e) optionally repeatingsteps (c) and (d) one or more times to produce a plant derived from beancultivar Greenback comprising the desired added trait and essentiallyall of the physiological and morphological characteristics of beancultivar Greenback, wherein in step (c) the selected backcross progenyproduced in step (d) is used in place of the selected F1 progeny of step(b).
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the desired added trait is malesterility, pest resistance, insect resistance, disease resistance,herbicide resistance, or any combination thereof.
 21. A bean plantproduced by the method of claim 20, wherein the bean plant has thedesired added trait and otherwise all of the morphological andphysiological characteristic of bean cultivar Greenback.
 22. Seed thatproduces the plant of claim
 21. 23. A method of producing a plant ofbean cultivar Greenback comprising a desired added trait, the methodcomprising introducing a transgene conferring the desired added traitinto the plant of claim
 2. 24. A bean plant produced by the method ofclaim 23 or a selfed progeny thereof, wherein the bean plant or selfedprogeny thereof has the desired added trait and otherwise all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of bean cultivarGreenback.
 25. Seed of the plant of claim 24, wherein the seed producesa plant that has the desired added trait and all of the morphologicaland physiological characteristics of bean cultivar Greenback.
 26. Amethod of producing a bean pod, the method comprising: (a) growing thebean plant according to claim 2 to produce a bean pod; and (b)harvesting the bean pod.
 27. A method of producing a processed productfrom bean cultivar Greenback, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a podof the plant of claim 2; and (b) processing said pod to produce aprocessed product.
 28. A method of producing a seed from bean cultivarGreenback, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a pod of the plant ofclaim 2; and (b) processing said pod to produce a seed.